Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Multiscale Sampling of a Heterogeneous Water/Metal Catalyst Interface using Density Functional Theory and Force-Field Molecular Dynamics
Published on: April 12, 2019
Cyclic voltammograms for H on Pt(111) and Pt(100) from first principles
G S Karlberg1, T F Jaramillo, E Skúlason
1Center for Atomic-Scale Materials Design, Department of Physics, NanoDTU, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark.
Abstract:
Cyclic voltammetry is a fundamental experimental method for characterizing electrochemical surfaces. Despite its wide use, a way to quantitatively and directly relate cyclic voltammetry to ab initio calculations has been lacking. We derive the cyclic voltammogram for H on Pt(111) and Pt(100), based solely on density functional theory calculations and standard molecular tables. By relating the gas phase adsorption energy to the electrochemical electrode potential, we provide a direct link between surface science and electrochemistry.
Related Concept Videos
Voltammetric Techniques: Cyclic Voltammetry
Voltammograms: Overview
Shapes of Voltammograms
Aromatic Hydrocarbon Cations: Structural Overview
Removing one hydrogen from the intervening CH2 group with both...
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Voltammetry: Overview
A voltammetric cell uses three electrodes: a working electrode, a reference electrode, and an auxiliary electrode. The redox reactions occur in the working...
Hückel's Rule Diagram of π MOs: Frost Circle
A Frost circle is constructed by drawing a polygon whose number of edges is equal to the number of carbons of the given cyclic system, with one of the vertices pointing down. Then, a circle is drawn enclosing the polygon so that...

